U.S. Closing Costs Increasing

---

The average fees consumers in the U.S. pay when closing on a mortgage loan increased by six percent over the past year, according to an annual survey by Bankrate.com

Based on a $200,000 mortgage loan a homebuyer pays an average of $2,400 in origination and third-party fees, compared to $2,264 last year. 

The bulk of the increase comes from fees paid directly to the loan originator, jumping 8.4 percent from last year to $1,730. Third party fees including appraisals reached $672, increasing by one percent. 

For the survey, Bankrate requested good faith estimates from up to 10 lenders in each state and Washington D.C. for a single-family house in the state's largest city with a 20 percent down payment. 

Hawaii took the number one spot with the most expensive closing cost at $2,919, jumping from second place last year. It was followed by Alaska, South Carolina, California and New Mexico, who jumped 38 spots from last year.  

Closings costs may vary since the survey doesn't include variable fees such as title insurance, title search, taxes, property insurance, association fees, interest and other prepaid items.